VP Pence Hosts Pro-Life Event At White House Complex

Yesterday, Vice President Mike Pence hosted a "Life is Winning Event" in the Executive Office Building at which more than 20 anti-abortion organizations were represented. (Video of the event.) The event included 15 minutes of remarks from the Vice President (full text of remarks) in which he said in part:

... I truly do believe if all of us continue to do all that we can in the months and the years ahead, we will see the sanctity of life restored to the center of American law in our time....

I know what all of you know as well: that he who said “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you” is about life. And we do well in this movement to always remind ourselves that when we make the cause for life our cause, we make His work on this Earth our very own.

So do not grow weary in doing well, because in the last four years, we’ve shown when men and women of faith and conviction come together to stand up for the unborn, to speak out for the voiceless, life can win in America. And with your help and God’s help, life will keep on winning in the United States of America.

Trump, Pence Speak At National Prayer Breakfast

Both Vice President Pence and President Trump spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. yesterday. Pence (full text of remarks) said in part:

As the President has said many times, in his words, “We are a nation of faith.”  And I can assure you that this President, this Vice President, and our entire administration believe in prayer and we rely on the prayers of the American people every day.

In fact, President Trump has made it a practice of opening every Cabinet meeting in prayer.

President Trump spoke later in the morning (full text of remarks). This passage has probably captured the most press attention:

Weeks ago, and again yesterday, courageous Republican politicians and leaders had the wisdom, the fortitude, and strength to do what everyone knows was right.  I don’t like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong.  Nor do I like people who say, “I pray for you,” when they know that that’s not so.

Washington Post reports on the Prayer Breakfast.

VP Pence Promotes New School Choice Scholarship Proposal

Vice President Mike Pence yesterday delivered a 20-minute address on School Choice at Saint Francis DeSales School in Philadelphia, PA. (Full text of remarks.) He particularly focused on the proposal for Education Freedom Scholarships that President Trump promoted in his State of the Union address on Tuesday.

Pence Speaks At World Holocaust Forum

Vice President Mike Pence spoke yesterday at the Fifth World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem. (Full text of remarks.) The event, held at Yad Vashem, marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.  The vice-president said in part:

Through pogroms, persecutions, and expulsions in the ghettos, and finally, even through the death camps, the Jewish people clung to an ancient promise that He would “never leave you or forsake you” and that he would leave this people to inherit the land that he swore to your ancestors that he would give them.

And so, today, as we bear witness to the strength and the resilience and the faith of the Jewish people, so too we bear witness to God’s faithfulness to the Jewish people.

UPDATE: On Jan. 24, President Trump issued a Proclamation on National Day Of Remembrance Of The 75th Anniversary Of The Liberation Of Auschwitz, 2020.

Pence To American Legion:VA Hospitals Will Not Be "Religion-Free Zones"

On Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence addressed the American Legion's National Convention in Indianapolis (full text of remarks). Among the accomplishments of the Trump Administration which Pence reviewed in his 35-minute speech, was the following:

You might’ve heard even today that there’s a lawsuit to remove a Bible that was carried in World War II from a Missing Man Table at a VA hospital in New Hampshire.  There’s a lawsuit underway.  It’s really no surprise because, under the last administration, VA hospitals were removing Bibles and even banning Christmas carols in an effort to be politically correct.  But let me be clear: Under this administration, VA hospitals will not be religion-free zones.  (Applause.)

We will always respect the freedom of religion of every veteran of every faith.  And my message to the New Hampshire VA hospital is: The Bible stays.  (Applause.)

Pence ended his speech thanking veterans, alluding to language from Psalm 18 and Psalm 144 in doing so:

As the Psalmist wrote, you “trained your hands for war,” and we thank Him who gave you the grace “to advance against a troop” and come home safe to serve all of those who also serve.

Pence To CPAC On Religious Liberty

On Friday, Vice President Pence addressed the 2019 CPAC Convention (full text of remarks). A portion of his 30-minute speech addressed religious liberty.  The Vice President said in part:

You know, the freedom of religion is not just enshrined in our Constitution; it’s enshrined in the hearts of the American people.  But make no mistake about it: Freedom of religion is under attack in our country.  Lately, it’s actually become fashionable for media elites and Hollywood liberals to mock religious belief.

My own family recently came under attack just because my wife Karen went back to teach art to children at a Christian school....

But let me be clear on this point: This is not about us.  It’s about all of you.  It’s about the sincerely held belief of millions of Americans who cherish their Christian faith and Christian education.  And so I’ll make you a promise: Under this President and this administration, we will always stand with people of faith.  We will always defend the freedom of religion of every American of every faith, so help us God.  (Applause.)

And as we reflect on our God-given liberties, I got to tell you, I couldn’t be more proud to serve as Vice President to the most pro-life President in American history.  (Applause.)

Since the first days of this administration, President Donald Trump has stood without apology for the sanctity of human life.  In one of his very first acts, the President reinstated the Mexico City Policy, preventing taxpayer dollars from funding abortion or abortion providers around the world.  And here at home, President Trump signed a law to allow all 50 states to defund Planned Parenthood.  (Applause.)  Life is winning in America once again.

But for all the progress we’re making — tragically, at the very moment that more Americans than ever before are embracing the right to life, leading members of the Democratic Party are embracing a radical agenda of abortion on demand.

Pence Announces New US Program To Aid Victims of Genocide and Religious Persecution

Yesterday, Vice President Mike Pence delivered a 30-minute address (full text) at the State Department's Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom.  The Vice President called out a long list of countries for their records of religious persecution and intolerance.  He went on to say:

And it’s my privilege as Vice President to announce today that the United States of America will establish the Genocide Recovery and Persecution Response Program, effective today....

Under this new program, the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development will closely partner with local faith and community leaders to rapidly deliver aid to persecuted communities, beginning with Iraq.  Crucially, this support will flow directly to individuals and households most in need of help.

Pence Addresses Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting

Vice President Mike Pence yesterday delivered a 35-minute address (full text) at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas.  He said in part:

... 40 years ago this spring, I heard the very message that Southern Baptists speak so faithfully across this nation every day ...that “God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever might believe in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life.”  And I walked the sawdust trail that night in 1978, and gave my life to Jesus Christ, and it’s made all the difference....

So thank you for carrying that timeless message everyday with such faithfulness to the American people.  The truth is, Southern Baptists have always worked to bring about renewal of America, and new beginnings.  And as I stand before you today, I believe that our nation is in the midst of a time of renewal.  And we are in the midst of a new beginning of greatness in America.

CNN reported that some in attendance "were disturbed by the overtly political tone" of much of the rest of Pence's remarks, adding:

many Southern Baptists, particularly people of color and younger members, were put off by the decision to allow Pence a platform at what's supposed to be a nonpolitical event.

Vice President Concerned About Aid To Iraqi Christians and Yazidis

Vice President Mike Pence issued a statement (full text) on Friday on promised U.S. aid to Iraq's Christian and Yazidi communities, saying in part:

To save what remains of these ancient and proud peoples, President Trump directed the United States government to stop using slow, ineffective and wasteful United Nations programs and to instead distribute assistance through USAID.... 

While progress has been made to help these beleaguered people, there is more to do to fulfill the commitments made to them and not to mention – our own consciences.

The Vice President will not tolerate bureaucratic delays in implementing the Administration’s vision to deliver the assistance we promised to the people we pledged to help.

The Vice President directed USAID Administrator Mark Green to travel to Iraq in the coming weeks to report back with an immediate comprehensive assessment...

White House Marks National Day of Prayer With Executive Order On New Faith Initiative

Yesterday the White House marked National Day of Prayer with a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House.  Vice President Pence delivered remarks (full text) followed by a 15-minute address by President Trump (full text) in which he announced that he would be signing a new Executive Order to create a faith initiative at the White House.  Later in the day the President signed an Executive Order on the Establishment of a White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative (full text).  The Executive Order replaces President Obama's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives with an Advisor to the White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative.  The Initiative is to:

 (iii)  make recommendations to the President... regarding changes to policies, programs, and practices that affect the delivery of services by faith-based and community organizations....

(v)    showcase innovative initiatives by faith-based and community organizations that serve and strengthen individuals, families, and communities throughout the United States;

(vi)   notify the Attorney General ... of concerns raised by faith-based and community organizations about any failures of the executive branch to comply with protections of Federal law for religious liberty.... 

(vii)  identify and propose means to reduce... burdens on the exercise of religious convictions and legislative, regulatory, and other barriers to the full and active engagement of faith-based and community organizations in Government-funded or Government-conducted activities and programs.

The White House also issued a Fact Sheet titled President Donald J. Trump Stands Up For Religious Freedom In The United States.  Washington Post reports on these developments.

Pence's Speech To Knesset Gets Theological Criticism

An interesting opinion piece in Haaretz this week titled Lucky the Jews Didn’t Understand What Mike Pence Was Really Saying [access requires subscription or sign-up] suggests that a close analysis of the theological underpinnings of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's speech to the Knesset on Monday (see prior posting) shows that it was based on Christian supercessionist beliefs. Here are a few edited excerpts that give a flavor of the analysis:

Pence explained that, "It was here, in Jerusalem, on Mount Moriah, that Abraham offered up his son, Isaac, and was credited with righteousness for his faith in God."...

In Genesis 15 ... God takes [Abraham] outside and says that he will have as many descendants as the stars.... Abraham then "had faith in the Lord, and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness."

[According to doctoral student Joshua Blachorsky] ... this verse was central to the thought and work of the apostle Paul, who in his letter to the Romans ... uses this verse to explain that Abraham was considered "righteous," worthy of salvation, not because of his observance of the commandments ("works") or his circumcision, the act by which he entered into a divine covenant, but because of his faith.

In Christian readings of Paul, the Jewish Torah and its commandments ... cannot bring about the promises of inheritance to Abraham. Rather, only faith can bring about salvation....

In this reading, Abraham is the father of the faithful, not the father of the circumcised....

The U.S. Vice President stood before the assembled delegates of the Jewish state ... and told them, right after talking about the Holocaust, that Abraham was not their father but that Abraham was his father.

Pence Speaks To Israel's Knesset

Yesterday U.S. Vice President Mike Pence delivered a lengthy address (full text) to Israel's Knesset (Parliament).  His remarks included numerous religious references and references to Jewish history.  He said in part:

In the story of the Jews, we’ve always seen the story of America. It is the story of an exodus, a journey from persecution to freedom, a story that shows the power of faith and the promise of hope.

My country’s very first settlers also saw themselves as pilgrims, sent by Providence, to build a new Promised Land. The songs and stories of the people of Israel were their anthems, and they faithfully taught them to their children, and do to this day. And our founders, as others have said, turned to the wisdom of the Hebrew Bible for direction, guidance, and inspiration....

The Jewish people’s unbreakable bond to this sacred city reaches back more than 3,000 years. It was here, in Jerusalem, on Mount Moriah, that Abraham offered his son, Isaac, and was credited with righteousness for his faith in God.

It was here, in Jerusalem, that King David consecrated the capital of the Kingdom of Israel. And since its rebirth, the modern State of Israel has called this city the seat of its government.

Pence: US Will Fund Faith-Based Groups Instead of UN In Mid-East Relief

On Wednesday evening, Vice President Mike Pence spoke to the In Defense of Christians Solidarity Dinner in Washington, D.C. (full text of remarks).  He said in part:

In Egypt, we see the bombing of churches during Palm Sunday celebrations -- a day of hope transformed into a day of horror.

In Iraq, we see monasteries demolished, priests and monks beheaded, the two-millennia-old Christian tradition in Mosul clinging for survival.

In Syria, we see ancient communities burned to the ground, believers tortured for confessing Christ, and women and children sold into slavery.

Let me assure you tonight, President Trump and I see these crimes for what they are -- vile acts of persecution animated by hatred for Christians and the Gospel of Christ. And so too does this President know who and what has perpetrated these crimes, and he calls them by name -- radical Islamic terrorists....

Here’s the sad reality: The United Nations claims that more than 160 projects are in Christian areas, but for a third of those projects, there are no Christians to help. The believers in Nineveh, Iraq, have had less than 2 percent of their housing needs addressed, and the majority of Christians and Yazidis remain in shelters....

Our fellow Christians and all who are persecuted in the Middle East should not have to rely on multinational institutions when America can help them directly. And tonight, it is my privilege to announce that President Trump has ordered the State Department to stop funding ineffective relief efforts at the United Nations. And from this day forward, America will provide support directly to persecuted communities through USAID.

We will no longer rely on the United Nations alone to assist persecuted Christians and minorities in the wake of genocide and the atrocities of terrorist groups. The United States will work hand-in-hand from this day forward with faith-based groups and private organizations to help those who are persecuted for their faith.

Pence Speaks To Christians United For Israel

On Monday, Vice President Mike Pence delivered a nearly 25-minute address at the Christians United for Israel Washington Summit.  His remarks (full text) included extensive references to the Trump Administration's support for Israel and to Pence's own religious beliefs.  Here are a few excerpts:

Now as the Good Book says: If you owe debts, pay debts.  If honor, then honor.  If respect, then respect.  And I’m really here on the President’s behalf and on our entire team’s behalf to pay a debt of gratitude to all of you who helped elect a President who is fighting every single day to defend faith, restore freedom, and strengthen America’s unbreakable bond with our most cherished ally, Israel....

My friends, to look at Israel is to see that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob keeps his promises, keeps the promises He makes to His people and to each one of us.

Ezekiel prophesized:  “Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live.”  And the State of Israel and her people bear witness to God’s faithfulness, as well as their own....

For my part, like all of you, my passion for Israel springs from my Christian faith.  The songs of the land and the people of Israel were the anthems of my youth.  As for me and my house, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem and all who call her home.  It’s really the greatest privilege of my life to serve as Vice President to a President who cares so deeply for our most cherished ally.

Pence Speaks To National Catholic Prayer Breakfast

Yesterday Vice President Mike Pence delivered a lengthy address (full text) to the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C.  Here are a few excerpts from his remarks:

To all the great American Catholics gathered here, let me assure you this morning, bright and early at this prayer breakfast, American Catholics have an ally in President Donald Trump.  (Applause.) 

President Trump stands for the religious liberty of every American and the right of our people of faith to live out your convictions in the public square.

President Trump stands with those who are persecuted for their faith around the world -- no matter the country they call home or the creed they profess.

And President Donald Trump stands with the most vulnerable -- the aged, the infirm, and the unborn.  (Applause.) ....

Protecting and promoting religious freedom is a foreign-policy priority of this administration.  And we will continue to work with this Congress to stand without apology for persecuted people of faith across the globe.  We will continue to stand with our allies and take the fight to the terrorists on our terms, on their soil until we drive the cancer of terrorism from the face of the Earth.  (Applause.)....

Since day one of this administration, President Donald Trump has been keeping his promise to stand for life, and life is winning in America again.

Pence At Conference On Persecution of Christians Says ISIS Is Guilty of Genocide

Vice President Mike Pence delivered a nearly 25-minute speech yesterday in Washington, D.C. at the first-ever World Congress of Persecuted Christians. (Full text of remarks). (Press release from Liberty Counsel.) The event is sponsored by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.  At one point in his prepared remarks, he said:

I believe ISIS is guilty of nothing short of genocide against people of the Christian faith, and it is time the world called it by name.

It is not clear whether he was announcing a formal labeling of ISIS activities as "genocide" which would then trigger obligations under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide.

Here are additional excerpts from the Vice President's speech:

I’m here on behalf of the President as a tangible sign of his commitment to defending Christians and, frankly, all who suffer for their beliefs across the wider world.  I stand here today as a testament to President Trump’s tangible commitment to reaffirm America’s role as a beacon of hope and light and liberty to inspire the world....

The reality is, across the wider world, the Christian faith is under siege.  Throughout the world, no people of faith today face greater hostility or hatred than the followers of Christ.  In more than 100 countries spread to every corner of the globe –- from Iran to Eritrea, Nigeria to North Korea –- over 215 million Christians confront intimidation, imprisonment, forced conversion, abuse, assault, or worse, for holding to the truths of the Gospel.  And nowhere is this onslaught against our faith more evident than in the very ancient land where Christianity was born....

In Iraq, at the hands of extremists, we’ve actually seen monasteries demolished, priests and monks beheaded, and the two-millennia-old Christian tradition in Mosul virtually extinguished overnight.  In Syria, we see ancient communities burned to the ground.  We see believers tortured for confessing Christ, and women and children sold into the most terrible form of human slavery.

Know today with assurance that President Trump sees these crimes for what they are: vile acts of persecution animated by hatred -- hatred for the Gospel of Christ.  And so too does the President know those who perpetrate these crimes.  They are them the embodiment of evil in our time.  He calls them by name -- radical Islamic terrorists....

But to be clear, adherents of other religions across the world have not been spared.  And we will speak for them and pray for them as well.  For as history attests, persecution of one faith is ultimately the persecution of all faiths.

Pence In Jakarta Praises Moderate Islam

Vice President Mike Pence's comments at his press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia on Thursday led Haaretz to run an article titled Pence's Visit to Indonesia Another Strike in Internal White House Battle Over Islam.  In his remarks to the press (full text), Pence said in part:

As the second and third largest democracies in the world, our two countries share many common values -- including freedom, the rule of law, human rights, and religious diversity.

 The United States is proud to partner with Indonesia to promote and protect these values, the birthright of all people....

Later today I’m greatly humbled to have the privilege to visit Indonesia’s national mosque, where I’ll have the opportunity to speak with leaders of many faiths.

And, Mr. President, I’m very much looking forward to that visit and that honor.  

 As the largest majority Muslim country, Indonesia’s tradition of moderate Islam, frankly, is an inspiration to the world.  And we commend you and your people. 

In your nation, as in mine, religion unifies -- it doesn’t divide.  It gives us hope for a brighter future, and we are all grateful for the great inspiration that Indonesia provides for the world.

Pence Meets With Interfaith Leaders In Indonesia

Yesterday, as part of his trip to Asia, Vice President Mike Pence met with interfaith religious leaders in Indonesia.  The White House readout on the meeting (full text) in addition to listing the 17 participants said:

Today, Vice President Mike Pence participated in an interfaith dialogue with faith leaders of Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Confucianism at the conclusion of his tour of the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia. Vice President Pence expressed appreciation to Indonesia for its shared commitment to religious freedom and reaffirmed that the United States will continue to defend this fundamental freedom, at home and abroad.

Pence Speaks To March For Life

As reported by the New York Times, today Vice President Mike Pence spoke in person to the thousands of marchers in this year's anti-abortion March For Life. (Full text of remarks.)  He said in part:

More than two-hundred and forty years ago, our Founders wrote words that have echoed through the ages. They declared “these truths to be self-evident.” That we are, all of us, “endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights,” and “that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Forty-four years ago, our Supreme Court turned away from the first of these timeless ideals....

But as it is written, “let your gentleness be evident to all.” Let this movement be known for love, not anger – for compassion, not confrontation. When it comes to matters of the heart, there’s nothing stronger than gentleness.

March For Life Is Today; VP Pence Will Address Marchers

In Washington, D.C., the annual March for Life, protesting the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision is being held today.  Roe was decided in January of 1973. As reported by ABC News, this year Vice President Mike Pence and counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway will both address the marchers in person.  They are the highest-ranking White House officials to ever address the march in person. Other speakers include Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Rep. Mia Love (R-Utah), and Rep. Chris Smith (R-New Jersey).